It is not so easy for an ordinary user to navigate the CPU market, choosing a decent product for the Intel platform. The American manufacturer insists that each crystal from the storefront is a masterpiece and will cope with any task.
The focus of this article is one of the cheapest processors in the line, a representative of the third generation - Core i5-3330. The review, technical specifications and owner reviews will provide potential buyers with the opportunity to learn a lot of interesting and useful information about this crystal.
The lineup
If the reader believes that Intel processors with the same labeling can differ only in packaging, then he is very mistaken. Yes, in the store windows you can find Intel R Core tm i5-3330 CPU version BOX (with cooling system) and OEM modifications (only crystal), however, there is an additional gradation:
- with integrated graphics core and locked multiplier (3330S);
- with integrated graphics core and unlocked multiplier (3330);
- without a graphics core with an unlocked multiplier (3330P).
What is most interesting is that not all countries have a full range of modifications to this product. For example, acquiring a crystal without an integrated graphics accelerator is problematic.
First introduction to the processor
No need to think that the OEM version of the product involves the sale of processors "by weight". In fact, they also have beautiful, branded, smaller packaging. Like the BOX modification, the crystal is presented on the storefront in a blue box made of thick cardboard, in which there is a plastic container with a processor.
Intel does not change its traditions, so in the packaging for the chip the user will find a lot of unnecessary documentation, which takes up almost all the free space in the box. In the version of Core i5-3330 CPU BOX, the future owner will also find a branded cooler from the manufacturer. As for thermal paste, it cannot be detected. Intel, unlike the manufacturer AMD, does not pamper its customers.
Announced Crystal Specifications
The processor called Ivy Bridge QC is made using 22 nanometer technology. On one platform, there are 4 separate cores that have a base frequency of 3 GHz. However, at the hardware level, there is the possibility of increasing productivity by automatically overclocking to 3.2 GHz (this is realized thanks to Turbo Boost technology). Each core of the Intel Core i5-3330 processor corresponds to only one calculation stream. As for the cache, it is distributed as follows:
- 1st level - 128 kilobytes in total for the crystal;
- 2nd level - 256 Kb for each core;
- Level 3 - 6 MB are common to the processor.
The integrated graphics accelerator is implemented on the HD 2500 core. Yes, the integrated video adapter is obsolete and not in demand among most buyers, however, unlike the improved HD 4000 core, it has low power consumption and low heat dissipation.
Additional platform features
Touching upon the topic of power dissipation, I would like to draw the attention of potential buyers to the fact that the Intel Core i5-3330 processor has very attractive power consumption characteristics. A crystal needs no more than 1.38 volts for full operation, and consumption is only 77 watts. Naturally, we are talking about working without manual overclocking. True, in their reviews, many enthusiasts note that raising the performance is not scary for the processor: a package of 95 watts for it is the maximum limit.
As for working with RAM, then the product is not showing its best. Standard support for dual-channel DDR3 memory is limited to a frequency of 1600 MHz and a maximum capacity of 32 GB. Compared to similar AMD processors located in the same price category (up to 10,000 rubles), this is the lowest indicator.
Instructions and Technologies
I am glad that once again the company does not change its rules and even the usual third-generation crystal, Intel Core i5-3330 CPU 3.00 GHz, is endowed with many technologies that are in demand in the work. First of all, it is about supporting virtualization. At the hardware level, support for variable environments and server technologies is implemented. The second pleasant moment is working with data encryption and low-level hardware interception of malicious code.
Also, many users working with databases and large arrays will need Fast Memory Access, SMEP, PAIR and many others technologies aimed at creating a secure server. In addition to the function for automatically overclocking the central processor (Turbo Boost), the Intel platform also provides an energy-saving mode, which is controlled only programmatically, through the BIOS of the motherboard.
Features of the integrated graphics accelerator
In their reviews, many users claim that the Intel Core i5-3330 chip has an integrated video adapter with a very low level of performance and there is no point in implementing them. Such a statement can only be made by fans of resource-intensive dynamic toys who have not been able to have a good time in front of a computer screen.
Yes, in comparison with a discrete graphics card, the integrated graphics accelerator leaves much to be desired (similar to the GT 6600 from Nvidia or X700 from Radeon). However, for professional use, this video adapter will be the best offer, because it supports many interesting technologies at the hardware level:
- DirectX version 11 (including Open GL 3.1 and Shader Model 4.1);
- HDCP support and encoding in H.264 and MPEG2;
- hardware decoding of AVC, MPEG2, Dual Video Decode and WMV9.
As for the use of hardware resources, here the manufacturer was able to surprise customers. The integrated accelerator is able to use 1.7 GB for its work, which it takes from RAM. The graphics core runs at 650 MHz (1050 MHz in Boost mode) and uses 6 processing pipelines.
The closest competitor in the Intel family
Any competition in the computer market comes down not to the similarity of the technical characteristics of the devices, but to the minimum price that the manufacturer requires for the maximum efficiency demonstrated by the product during operation. Therefore, the user is offered a rational option where the Intel Core i5-3330 processor will be compared with an inexpensive analogue that can demonstrate almost identical performance.
And we are talking about the top representative of dual-core crystals - Pentium G2120. In their reviews, many buyers claim that they did not consider this product at all when building a platform for professional use. And this is understandable, because 2 cores cannot be compared with the performance of a 4-core platform. However, real tests can quickly put everything in its place.
Intel Platform Potential
You can see the real superiority of the Intel Core i5-3330 3.00 GHz processor over a 2-core competitor in only a few tests, where more physical cores are needed for mathematical calculations. For example, when encoding or decoding a video or while working with 3D modeling. Also, compilation of program code requires a lot of resources.
But to work with office and graphic software, only modern technologies are required. Therefore, it is better for the future owner to focus on the lower price threshold than on the number of cores and the results of synthetic tests.
As for toy lovers, the situation here is somewhat different. Most software focuses on dual-core crystals, so you should not expect tangible superiority from the Core i5-3330 processor. However, many new products on the market are now created for multi-core platforms, where 4, 6 or 8 streams are required for complete information processing. Therefore, the buyer is better to focus on the system requirements of the game, and not on the capabilities of the processor.
Comparison with a competitor
If we consider the products of a competitor, then a potential buyer will find that the Intel Core i5-3330 3.0 processor has too many opponents in the price category of up to 10,000 rubles from AMD. This is not strange, because competitor products have always been significantly cheaper than Intel crystals.
In their reviews, enthusiasts recommend comparing the Core i5 with the middle segment of the competitor, focusing on the crystals of the Phenom II line. The participation of not only 4-core representatives of X4, but also 6-core X6 processors is quite acceptable. Experts say that an Intel representative has greater potential, and any buyer can be sure of this.
Budget Class Battle
The Intel Core i5-3330 processor is compared by many with Phenom II 955, 960 and 1075T crystals. These products have almost identical technical characteristics and not very distinguishable value in the world market. The only significant difference is power consumption - AMD products have a 1.5 times overpricing, but few people pay attention to this factor.
In gaming applications, comparing these fairly powerful processors does not make sense, because they all have identical clock speeds and have the same number of cores (except X6) and cache parameters. Yes, the AMD 1075T processor is able to show the best result, but only in games where the program code is highly dependent on multiprocessing.
But in professional applications related to video encoding, modeling or graphics, Core i5-3330 shows the best performance. This looks rather strange when you consider that AMD products took leading positions in synthetic tests.
Dragon Tail
Why not compare the Intel Core i5-3330 CPU with the AMD flagship, the FX-8150 crystal? The media reviews are determined that the 8-core representative with higher frequencies and improved technical characteristics will not leave a single chance for the Intel chip. Yes, this is quite real, because the new AMD Zambezi core has a large cache size, has twice as many physical cores and supports faster 1866 MHz DDR3 memory.
Fans of Intel products are better off not getting to know the results of synthetic tests at all. The Intel Core i5-3330 chip is inferior to the 8-core processor in all respects. Moreover, the difference in performance is significant and amounts to almost 30-40%. As for cryptography and video encoding, here Intel product will not be able to beat the competitor, because these applications are dependent on the number of streams.
But in gaming applications, the situation is radically changing. At high resolutions in resource-intensive dynamic games with rapidly changing terrain, AMD product quickly loses its position, and the run-up is about 10-15%. It looks very strange.
Overclocking potential
Many users in their reviews write that Intel products are practically not overclocked. In fact, this is real stupidity. The fact is that most crystals, including the Core i5-3330 processor, are present on the market with a locked multiplier, while all AMD representatives are sold with an unlocked module.
Almost all Intel crystals operating at frequencies of 3 GHz and higher are easily accelerated to a psychological mark of 3.5 GHz. Moreover, any user is able to perform a performance boost even using a standard cooling system designed for a thermal package of up to 95 watts.
However, most enthusiasts do not stop there and try to take another barrier - to reach the coveted frequency of 4 GHz. This is quite real, the main thing is to have a gaming motherboard on hand that can control overclocking, and a powerful cooler that can cope with heat dissipation.
There is something to brag about
Many gamers who overclocked the budget AMD processor with 4 cores love to make comparisons regarding financial expenses. Yes, the Intel Core i5-3330 CPU is almost 5-10% more expensive than its competitor, but this does not give everyone the right to consider that AMD is better from an economic point of view.
A potential buyer should get acquainted with the power consumption of the crystals in the normal mode and during acceleration. The thermal package of any third-generation Intel processor does not exceed 75 watts, while that of a competitor, this parameter ranges from 110-125 watts.
And only overclocking can convince a potential buyer to make the right choice in the market of computer components. After all, the Core i5 crystal at an increased frequency (4000 MHz) still does not reach the mark of 100 watts. But an AMD representative will need a powerful power supply and a decent cooling system, because you need to somehow cope with the dissipated power of about 160-180 watts.
Product in demand
Potential buyers have already noticed that the Core i5-3330 is completely absent from the mobile device market. Naturally, this raises doubts among many users who have looked after this product to build a powerful gaming or professional platform. However, do not be upset. The fact is that in laptops it is irrational to use such a crystal: it has too high a frequency and excessive power consumption.
But in the monoblock market such a processor is very popular. So, Apple looked after this crystal for its offspring - iMac. Modification without a graphics accelerator goes well with 8-12 gigabytes of RAM and a discrete graphics card Nvidia GT860M. In fact, this is more a game solution than a product for creativity.
Reviews
Better to start with the negative. Many owners are faced with the problem of overclocking the Core i5-3330 processor. The fact is that not every motherboard supports a set of instructions for controlling the third-generation crystal multiplier. As practice shows, the motherboard should be based on the Z77 chip. And this is the gaming segment with the corresponding price. Naturally, not every user can afford to buy such a board.
Also, many gamers are not happy with the fact that the processor does not support ultra-fast 2133 MHz DDR3 memory modules (OS). Rather, he sees them, but refuses to work with them simultaneously. And this is a serious drop in performance in games that require the fast work of large amounts of memory (FIFA16, GTA 5 and their analogues).
But people like this processor. Firstly, it is undemanding to energy resources; accordingly, it will work with the old low-power power supply. Do not forget about the cooling system, which will work almost silently. As regards performance in demanding applications related to video, sound, graphics and 3D modeling, there are no complaints.
Finally
As practice shows, the Core i5-3330 processor is quite interesting to many users. Indeed, in addition to an attractive price, it also has a host of other useful properties. Firstly, it is about performance - the crystal competes well with AMD products even from the more expensive price segment. Do not forget about the cost of electricity, which many buyers for some reason do not take into account.